Faces behind the appeal

MALU Hunt, who received life changing surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital, will be one of many attendees at Inverleigh’s Good Friday Appeal tomorrow.

Malu started having seizures not long after his first birthday and tests revealed the right side of his brain was not developed properly.

He would have up to 100 spasms a day.

He was diagnosed with a rare type of epilepsy in children, and this resulted in surgery which disconnected the right half of his brain from his left at just 19-months old.

“Right from day dot the Children’s Hospital was really amazing,” said Malu’s mother Erin Hunt.

“They were very supportive and able to give us lots of information so we could educate ourselves.

“We’re still supported in different ways by them now even though it’s been two and a half years since his surgery.”

She said the work of the Good Friday Appeal has a real and important impact on local children.

“I think after Malu’s surgery we saw the impact the Children’s Hospital has on not just us but many families,” she said.

“Every year we’d like to be a part of helping to give back because we know how important that money is, and we’ve seen where it goes.

“Without that money the hospital wouldn’t have had the equipment or have done enough research to complete Malu’s surgery so we’re very grateful.”

Ms Hunt said she is excited to visit Inverleigh’s appeal with all its activities and entertainment.

“The Inverleigh Family Fun Day is a great local event for the Geelong area and they have a great range of entertainment,” she said.

“My kids are really excited to get along and every little donation really helps to go a long way for families like us.”